Anvils and Hammers: The Essential Guide for Modern-Day Blacksmiths

Anvils and Hammers: A Comprehensive Guide

Anvils and hammers are essential tools in the blacksmithing trade. They have been used for centuries, and their design has remained largely unchanged. In this post, we will delve into the different types of anvils and hammers available today, as well as their uses.

Types of Anvils
Anvils come in various shapes and sizes, each with a unique purpose. The most common types of anvils include:

1. London Pattern Anvil: This is the most popular type of anvil used by blacksmiths today. It features a flat top surface with a hardy hole on one end and a pritchel hole on the other end.

2. Farrier’s Anvil: This type of anvil is designed specifically for horseshoeing purposes. It is smaller than the London pattern anvil and typically has a more rounded horn.

3. Double Horn Anvil: As its name suggests, this anvil features two horns – one that is round and another that is square-shaped.

4. Stake Anvil: This type of anvil doesn’t have any horns but instead has several stake holes around its edges to hold stakes in place while working on them.

5. Railroad Track Anvil: Some blacksmiths use old railroad tracks as makeshift anvils due to their durability and weight.

Types of Hammers
Just like anvils, hammers come in various shapes and sizes depending on their intended use:

1. Cross Peen Hammer: This hammer features a flat face on one side and a cross peen (pointed) end on the other side. It is commonly used for shaping metal or forging details into it.

2. Ball Peen Hammer: Similar to the cross peen hammer, this hammer also features a flat face but instead has a ball-shaped head opposite it instead of a pointed tip.

3. Sledge Hammer: A sledgehammer is a large, heavy hammer typically used for demolition purposes.

4. Blacksmith’s Hammer: This hammer has a flat face on one side and a rounded peen on the other. It is ideal for general forging work.

Uses of Anvils and Hammers
Anvils and hammers are used to shape metal into various forms, including knives, swords, horseshoes, armor pieces, and tools. The blacksmith places the metal on the anvil and uses different types of hammers to forge it into shape.

The type of anvil or hammer used depends on the task at hand. For example, if a blacksmith needs to create intricate details in their workpiece, they may use a cross-peen or ball-peen hammer instead of a standard blacksmith’s hammer. Similarly, if they need to create curves or bends in their piece, they will likely use an anvil with curved horns.

Conclusion
Anvils and hammers are essential tools in modern-day blacksmithing. Different types of anvils and hammers have unique features that make them suitable for specific tasks within the trade. By understanding these differences and knowing which tool to use when necessary can help any aspiring blacksmith take their craft to new heights!